Israel has recently increased its rhetoric warning of the need to halt Iran's nuclear development.

The U.S. and some of its allies accuse Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Iran denies.

Israel views Iran as an existential threat.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that the U.S. is increasing both its sea- and land-based defense assets in the Strait of Hormuz region, in an effort to counter any Iranian effort to close the strategic waterway in the Persian Gulf.

According to the report, the U.S. military has informed Congress of plans to preposition new mine-detection and clearing equipment and expand surveillance capabilities in the area of the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. defense officials were also quoted as saying that the military wants to modify weapons systems on ships so they can used against Iranian fast-attack boats and shore-launched cruise missiles.

Iran has said it could close the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's crude oil passes, to shipping in response to Western sanctions over its nuclear program. The United States has vowed to keep the waterway open.

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